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The influence of psychological factors on the burden of caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: Resiliency and caregiver burden

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 May 2017

Carolina Palacio ,
Alicia Krikorian  and
Joaquín T. Limonero
Carolina Palacio*
Affiliation:
Instituto de Cancerología, Clínica las Américas, Medellín, Colombia School of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Pain and Palliative Care Group, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia Research Group on Stress and Health, School of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Alicia Krikorian
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Pain and Palliative Care Group, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
Joaquín T. Limonero
Affiliation:
Research Group on Stress and Health, School of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Carolina Palacio, Instituto de Cancerología, Clínica las Américas, Carrera 70 #135, Medellín, Colombia. E-Mail: [email protected].
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Abstract

Objective:

The aim of our study was to identify the influence of such psychological factors as emotional intelligence and perceived competence on caregiver burden in those who care for patients with advanced cancer.

Method:

A total of 50 informal caregivers completed self-report assessments of resilience, perceived competence, emotional regulation, positive aspects of care, emotional distress, and burden. We conducted a quantitative study with a cross-sectional design. Descriptive statistics were obtained. Associations between the different variables were assessed using nonparametric and multiple regression analyses.

Results:

Participants were mainly female (88%) and had an average of 20 months of caregiving. Their mean age was 47 years (range = 20–79). More than half of scored high on resilience, positive aspects of caring, and emotional distress, moderately on perceived competence, and low on burden. Most caregivers used cognitive restructuring and social support as coping strategies. Inverse negative correlations were observed among emotional distress, emotional state, and burden with perceived competence and positive aspects of caring (p < 0.05). Significant differences were obtained for emotional distress, cognitive restructuring, and resiliency. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that perceived competence, resiliency, and positive aspects of caring were the main predictors of burden.

Significance of Results:

Resilience, perceived competence, emotional regulation, and positive aspects of care constitute protective factors against caregiver burden. Taken together, these aspects should be promoted by the healthcare staff in order to facilitate caregiver adaptation and well-being.

Keywords

CaregiverResiliencyEmotional regulationPerceived competenceBurden
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , June 2018 , pp. 269 - 277
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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